Early in 1995, the Green Street Grill in Cambridge, Massachusetts was regularly featuring live jazz music three nights a week, along with their French-Carribean cuisine. Local magic enthusiast, Joe McClure, a friend of John Clifford, then owner of the Green Street Grill, pursuaded the Grill to try a magic night. This would not be a children's magic show, rather a sophisticated and entertaining experience for adults.

Early in 1995, the Green Street Grill in Cambridge, Massachusetts was regularly featuring live jazz music three nights a week, along with their French-Carribean cuisine. Local magic enthusiast, Joe McClure, a friend of John Clifford, then owner of the Green Street Grill, pursuaded the Grill to try a magic night. This would not be a children's magic show, rather a sophisticated and entertaining experience for adults.

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McClure contacted local professional magician [[Steve Kradolfer]], who pulled together a team of Boston area full-time pro's, including [[Jon Stetson]][http://www.jonstetson.com/home.html], [[Mike Bent]][http://abrakidabra.com/] and [[David Oliver]][http://www.davidolivermagic.com/]. These guys travel the globe performing at corporate events, colleges, comedy clubs, television and on Broadway. They thought it would be a fun thing to do for a change - having a casual atmosphere to do a special one-night show in their own home area. Of course, no one knew this would continue for more than twelve years. After all, they were just out to have a little fun.

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McClure contacted local professional magician [[Steve Kradolfer]], who pulled together a team of Boston area full-time pro's, including [[Jon Stetson]], [[Mike Bent]]and [[David Oliver]]. These guys travel the globe performing at corporate events, colleges, comedy clubs, television and on Broadway. They thought it would be a fun thing to do for a change - having a casual atmosphere to do a special one-night show in their own home area. Of course, no one knew this would continue for more than twelve years. After all, they were just out to have a little fun.

Beginning with that initial season of (what was originally known as) '''"Magicians and Spirits,"''' along with the formal show, they introduced a "pre-show" show (and coined the phrase) '''"Random Acts of Magic"''' at the bar, where they were able to feature some of the best close-up & bar magicians in the world (including [[Doc Eason]], [[Eric Mead]], [[Jamy Ian Swiss]], [[Bob Sheets]], [[Jim Cellini]] and others) before the formal cabaret show. Some acts were passing through Boston, others came specifically to join them.

Beginning with that initial season of (what was originally known as) '''"Magicians and Spirits,"''' along with the formal show, they introduced a "pre-show" show (and coined the phrase) '''"Random Acts of Magic"''' at the bar, where they were able to feature some of the best close-up & bar magicians in the world (including [[Doc Eason]], [[Eric Mead]], [[Jamy Ian Swiss]], [[Bob Sheets]], [[Jim Cellini]] and others) before the formal cabaret show. Some acts were passing through Boston, others came specifically to join them.

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Since then, the show has grown by leaps and bounds. In the year 1999, with the help of cast member [[Mike Bent]], the show moved to the [[Comedy Studio]][http://www.thecomedystudio.com/], and is now known as "[[The Mystery Lounge]]"[http://www.mysterylounge.com/] show. Rick Jenkins, owner of the Comedy Studio, has been instrumental in supporting and promoting the show along with his five nights of comedy shows each week.

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Since then, the show has grown by leaps and bounds. In the year 1999, with the help of cast member [[Mike Bent]], the show moved to the [[Comedy Studio]], and is now known as "[[The Mystery Lounge]]" show. Rick Jenkins, owner of the Comedy Studio, has been instrumental in supporting and promoting the show along with his five nights of comedy shows each week.

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The success of the "The Mystery Lounge" can also be measured by the fact that it has helped spawn two sister shows on the East coast; "[[Monday Night Magic]]"[http://www.mondaynightmagic.com/] show in New York City and "[[The Comedy Mystery Society]]"[http://comedymysterysociety.com/] in Washington, DC. All three shows cater to adult audiences who appreciate the finer arts of magic and comedy.

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For a mere $10, on any given Tuesday night at the "The Mystery Lounge", you will witness mind-boggling feats of magic, incredible sleight of hand, uproarious comedy and some uncany mind-reading. Along with the regular, rotating cast of characters like [[Joe Howard]], [[Steve Kradolfer]], [[Bob Riordan]], [[Erik Rochelle]], [[Mike Bent]], [[Jon Stetson]] and [[David Oliver]], you can usually find a special guest or two on the bill.

The success of the "The Mystery Lounge" can also be measured by the fact that it has helped spawn two sister shows on the East coast; "[[Monday Night Magic]]" show in New York City and "[[The Comedy Mystery Society]]"in Washington, DC. All three shows cater to adult audiences who appreciate the finer arts of magic and comedy.

''"The Mystery Lounge is a Tuesday night series that challenges audiences' expectations of a magic show. Combining special effects and mind-reading techniques with comedy, the magicians present a professional magic show that's as amusing as it is mesmerizing. This isn't your father's magic show, it's interactive with the audience, and it's right in your face."'' - The Improper Bostonian (Magazine)

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==Reviews==

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* ''"A good place to be amazed...wacky and head-scratching magic!"'' - WCVB TV, Boston (ABC)

* ''"The Mystery Lounge is a Tuesday night series that challenges audiences' expectations of a magic show. Combining special effects and mind-reading techniques with comedy, the magicians present a professional magic show that's as amusing as it is mesmerizing. This isn't your father's magic show, it's interactive with the audience, and it's right in your face."'' - The Improper Bostonian (Magazine) 2001

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==External Link==

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== References and external links==

* [http://www.mysterylounge.com The Mystery Lounge]

* [http://www.mysterylounge.com The Mystery Lounge]

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* [http://www.thecomedystudio.com/ The Comedy Studio]

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* [http://www.mondaynightmagic.com/ Monday Night Magic]

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* [http://comedymysterysociety.com/ Comedy and Mystery Society]

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* [http://www.jonstetson.com/home.html John Stenson]

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* [http://abrakidabra.com/ Mike Bent]

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* [http://www.davidolivermagic.com/ David Oliver]

[[Category:History]][[Category:Stage Magic]][[Category:Bar Magic]]

[[Category:History]][[Category:Stage Magic]][[Category:Bar Magic]]

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[[Category:Venues]]

Revision as of 08:49, 5 November 2008

History

Early in 1995, the Green Street Grill in Cambridge, Massachusetts was regularly featuring live jazz music three nights a week, along with their French-Carribean cuisine. Local magic enthusiast, Joe McClure, a friend of John Clifford, then owner of the Green Street Grill, pursuaded the Grill to try a magic night. This would not be a children's magic show, rather a sophisticated and entertaining experience for adults.

McClure contacted local professional magician Steve Kradolfer, who pulled together a team of Boston area full-time pro's, including Jon Stetson, Mike BentandDavid Oliver. These guys travel the globe performing at corporate events, colleges, comedy clubs, television and on Broadway. They thought it would be a fun thing to do for a change - having a casual atmosphere to do a special one-night show in their own home area. Of course, no one knew this would continue for more than twelve years. After all, they were just out to have a little fun.

Beginning with that initial season of (what was originally known as) "Magicians and Spirits," along with the formal show, they introduced a "pre-show" show (and coined the phrase) "Random Acts of Magic" at the bar, where they were able to feature some of the best close-up & bar magicians in the world (including Doc Eason, Eric Mead, Jamy Ian Swiss, Bob Sheets, Jim Cellini and others) before the formal cabaret show. Some acts were passing through Boston, others came specifically to join them.

Since then, the show has grown by leaps and bounds. In the year 1999, with the help of cast member Mike Bent, the show moved to the Comedy Studio, and is now known as "The Mystery Lounge" show. Rick Jenkins, owner of the Comedy Studio, has been instrumental in supporting and promoting the show along with his five nights of comedy shows each week.

The success of the "The Mystery Lounge" can also be measured by the fact that it has helped spawn two sister shows on the East coast; "Monday Night Magic" show in New York City and "The Comedy Mystery Society"in Washington, DC. All three shows cater to adult audiences who appreciate the finer arts of magic and comedy.

"The Mystery Lounge is a Tuesday night series that challenges audiences' expectations of a magic show. Combining special effects and mind-reading techniques with comedy, the magicians present a professional magic show that's as amusing as it is mesmerizing. This isn't your father's magic show, it's interactive with the audience, and it's right in your face." - The Improper Bostonian (Magazine) 2001